Page 35 of Until I Have You

To capture a man’s attention like that, to have him so tight in my grasp he watches me walk away…

I want that.

And Theo is the archetype of a man I’d want to look at me like that.

Nothimobviously.I know too much about him, and he’s far too old for me.But he’s in a clean-cut suit, his hair well styled, his face clean-shaven, and his smile easy and…

Sexy.

I realize I have to introduce Derek now, and I do so with my tail between my legs.“This is Professor Derek Ridley.We were just discussing my career.”

Derek sits up straighter, his beady eyes zeroing in on me, a hollow smile on his lips.“Yes.Your career.”

“Hello, mate!”Theo says with hapless cheeriness, thankfully oblivious to the awkwardness.He shakes Derek’s hand.“You are a lucky man to have been able to work with Abigail in her element.She’s brilliant.”

My heart skips a beat.

It’s just a paternal instinct.I’m his friend’s daughter.Of course, he’s heard from my dad how brilliant I am over and over.And while Theo definitely has skeletons in his closet, he knows how to keep up appearances.

Still.I like that.

Brilliant.

“She is, she–uh… How do you know Abigail?”

Theo places his hand on my shoulder, his palm fitting around the joint, tight and warm.

I realize he’s…protecting me.This isn’t an accident.Not at all.

I find myself leaning onto his side, allowing him to shield me from Derek.“Well, I’ve known her since she was a girl.Her father is a friend from back in the day.”

“Is that so?”Derek’s hollow smile perks even higher on his lips.

“Yep,” I reply.“Old friends.”

“In fact,” Theo plays up his naivete, “would you mind if we joined you so Abigail and I could catch up?It’s been so long, and I mean, I’ve only gotten to hear about how talented she is through the grapevine, I–”

“Of course.”Derek gets to his feet.“I actually do have to run.I lecture in the morning, and it’s getting late.”

My eyes meet Derek’s for a moment, coldness seeps through my bloodstream.

I fucked it up, didn’t I?This was supposed tofixthings and instead, I’ve made them worse.

But if Theo hadn’t interceded, the next thing would be…

Somewhere more private.

And who knows what would have happened then?

Theo smiles.“You sure, mate?Let me buy you a drink!”

I have half a mind to pinch him and tell him to shut up.

“No, no.”Derek straightens out the lapel of his rumpled linen jacket.“We discussed what we needed to.It was good catching up, Abigail.”

His eyes harden on me.“Good luck with your job search.”

“Thank you,” I manage, though I don’t have much strength to voice it.

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